I flew Alaska a couple of weeks ago. The ecerts can be used only to upgrade a full fare (Y). I tried calling Alaska at 24 hours to upgrade and was told I could only be put on the upgrade list when I checked in. (I called again, because my ecert said that I could call at 24 hours. The second agent said that was incorrect. There is a thread somewhere that indicates Alaska was correct.) You don't need an ecert to upgrade if you are gold or platinum on check in. I had lost my card and they took my word for it and put me on the upgrade list (which didn't clear). I don't know how it would work with an award. The whole thing is really confusing.